The UK arm of T-Mobile disappointed customers when it announced that the Fair Use Policy for data usage was being capped at 500 MB. That was a rather large departure from the previous cap of 1GB.

T-Mobile has clarified that the policy will apply to new and upgrading customers only. Current subscribers who wish to remain under their existing tariff will not fall under these new terms for the duration of the contract. In a statement posted to the website, T-Mo apologized for confusion and promised that current tariffs will be honored.

The new limitations drastically alter the type of activity that someone with an Android phone will be able to enjoy. T-Mobile urged subscribers to not watch or download files on their phones, urging them instead to focus on going on Facebook, Gmail, and reading BBC News. But even if someone cuts out the YouTube and tethering, what about listening to Spotify? Don’t even think about doing video chat under these caps because someone could eat up the monthly allowance with a few blinks.

“On Monday 10 January 2011 we announced that, in line with the rest of the industry, T-Mobile would be reducing its Fair Use Policy for data usage to 500MB a month for all mobile phone customers. Following a further review of our policy, these changes will now be introduced from 1 February, to new and upgrading customers only – not existing customers.

There will be no change to the data packages for existing customers for the duration of their contract and we apologise for any confusion caused. The revision to the Fair Use Policy is designed to ensure an improved quality of service for all mobile internet users.”

Lysa Hardy, VP, T-Mobile UK

Information on new data policy:

From 1 February 2011 new and upgrading customers will be given a monthly 500MB data allowance. There will be no charge for those customers exceeding that limit, and those who do will still be able to access important services such as email and web browsing, however file downloading and streaming services will be restricted. Customers will then have the option to increase their monthly Fair Use Policy to 1GB a month by purchasing a Mobile Broadband Booster. This will ensure an improved quality of service for all of our mobile internet users.